We compiled buying tips from two interior designers, then researched user-friendly, reliable options for every wall material and art size. Our top choice is the 3M Claw, a dependable picture hanger that locks into drywall and holds up to 25 pounds. These are the best picture hangers you can order online. In addition to framed pictures, these work perfectly for paintings, art prints, canvases, and mirrors. Best of all, you don’t need any tools, and they can be attached anywhere on your drywall—even without a stud. Just push each claw in firmly with your thumb, and you’re good to go. This pack comes with four claws and four spot markers, which you can use to mark the corners of where your art will go. While the hooks will leave noticeable holes in your wall, they’re pretty small and can easily be patched with putty. Designed for hanging framed pieces with wires or D-rings, this hanger is ideal for photos, paintings, mirrors, and art prints. This set comes with four hooks and four nails, so all you’ll need is a hammer. Each piece is made of sturdy steel and features a shiny brass finish. When using the hooks, be sure to note the size. While the largest can support up to 100 pounds, the smaller ones can only hold about 10 pounds. These hangers are great for drywall, but just a heads up, they won’t work on concrete or brick. This sturdy hanger is made of steel and features a brushed-nickel finish. One thing to note is that it’s almost 7 inches long and 4 inches wide, so it’s quite a bit bigger than most other picture hooks. Still, we like that it comes with all the nails you’ll need to mount it. Each hook can only support 2 pounds of weight, but they’re still great for small pictures, Christmas stockings, calendars, keys, sunglasses, hats, kitchen utensils, tools, office supplies, and wardrobe accessories. “For lighter items, these are some of my favorites to use,” says Merchant. She also notes that these are also a great option for small projects in rental homes or dorms, where you don’t want to create any permanent holes. Made of durable steel, this picture hanger can support as much as 60 pounds of weight on drywall and promises to leave minimal damage. It’s designed for framed art pieces with wires and D-rings, but it can also work with sawtooth mounts. Supporting up to 16 pounds, these have a lower weight capacity than many other options on this list. However, they can still hold most small art pieces and framed pictures with acrylic fronts (as opposed to glass). Also that note that these are not reusable. These steel hooks come in packs of 10, each supporting up to 25 pounds. Easy to install, all you do is push in the tip, then twist it back and forth until it penetrates the wall. Finally, rotate the hook upward and push it all the way in so it’s flush. With the kit you’ll also get standard hooks for wood, plaster, or drywall, two sizes of nails, and concrete wall hooks. Ikea recommends using two when hanging larger pieces. But since the weight capacity isn’t listed, we wouldn’t recommend this kit for any heavy art. Made of stainless steel, these sawtooth hangers are sturdy, rust-resistant, and long-lasting. They come with 8-millimeter screws to attach to the back of your frame. However, you’ll need to get your own nails for the wall. Also, the weight capacity isn’t specified, and the brand recommends using them with small frames only. The process is pretty straightforward, but it can be tricky to get the pins to lock in without leaving cracks in your wall. While the brand doesn’t specify a weight capacity, it says the high-strength design can support heavy pictures. Plus, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty. With the exception of strip-style hangers, like the 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips we recommend, most options are designed to attach to wires, D-rings, or sawtooth mounts, which may or may not be already attached to the back of your art. Decorist designer Katy Byrne always recommends hanging framed pictures from two points. “This will keep the piece straight.”
Weight Capacity
As Decorist designer Linzie Merchant noted, you should always start by confirming the weight of what you intend to hang and then checking the weight capacity before buying a picture hanger. For heavy hanging projects, consider options like the OOK Heavy-Duty Drywall Hanger, which can support up to 200 pounds. On the other hand, for super light objects like keys or stockings, 3M Command Wire Hooks are easy and don’t require any holes.
Wall Material
Lastly, consider the wall material. Most picture hangers are suitable for use with standard drywall and can often be installed with or without studs. However, those with higher weight capacities may call for studs. Plaster is more brittle than drywall but also harder, so it often needs special hooks. Similarly, concrete and brick are tricky for hanging pictures. For these wall materials, you’ll need a hook with small metal pins you gently tap into the wall until they attach securely. We recommend Rocky Mountain Goods picture hangers for these projects.
Why Trust The Spruce?
The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland compiled buying tips and expert insights from two interior designers for this piece. She then researched various mounting types, hardware materials, and products for hanging art, narrowing it down to dependable, user-friendly options that work on multiple wall materials. As a commerce writer and product tester, Theresa specializes in decor, textiles, home improvement, and organizational solutions. You can find more of her stories on People, Travel + Leisure, and Byrdie. Byrne agrees with this general rule of thumb. “It puts the piece at eye-level for the average person,” she explains.
